Bandera council approves $22,500 in hotel-tax reimbursements for five local events

The Bandera City Council voted unanimously Sept. 9 to allocate $22,500 in hotel occupancy-tax reimbursements among five event applicants.

Councilmember Debbie moved to distribute the available funds as follows: Riding on Faith, $5,250; National Day of the Cowboy, $1,000; Cowboys on Main, $10,000; Bandera Pro Rodeo Memorial Weekend Stampede, $4,000; and Bandera Pro Rodeo Association Labor Day weekend, $2,250. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jeff and carried on a 5-0 vote.

The council’s discussion noted a March 2024 decision to use only half of the annual HOT revenue for grants and to reserve the remainder for city projects. Staff said the total pool available for reimbursements this cycle was $45,000, with half — $22,500 — authorized for distribution to applicants. Applicants and council members also discussed event budgets and past EDC (Bandera Economic Development Corporation) support; applicants noted rising costs for specific elements such as supplies for gunfight reenactments.

A representative for the Bandera Business Association told the council that their increased ask this year was largely due to higher costs for Cowboys on Main and additional gunfighter shows. Council members debated proportional splits versus per-application limits set by policy; one council member noted the rule that no single application can receive more than 25% of the available grant pool.

The council recorded no conditions on the payments during the meeting. The disbursement amounts above were taken from the adopted motion and vote recorded during the Sept. 9 session.